Device for setting selected bowling pins with respotting mechanism



9, 1966 L J. STAU DEVICE FOR SETTING SELECTED BOWLING PINS WITH RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 1, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l P.h l 1 I m 5 '-r- Q u Q51 0- T T m 6 Q V "1\ 1- 0 Q m q E \S E12 J INVENTOR (AW/95%? J. 57,4077,

BY g v M a Aug. 9, 1966 L. J. STAUTH 3,265,390

DEVICE FOR SETTING SELECTED BOWLING PIN S WITH RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 1, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,INVENTOR. ZAWAf/W'd. 57740777 Aug. 9, 1966 L. J. STAUTH 3,265,390

DEVICE FOR SETTING SELECTED BOWLING PINS WITH RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 1, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet. 5

V INVENTOR. Z/IWPf/VC' u. 577407 A 77' ORA/1F V5 United States Patent 3 265,399 DEVECE FUR EETTING SELECTED EGWHNG PKNS WITH RESPGTTING MECHANEM Lawrence J. Stanth, 4128 Hood Ave, Rurhank, Ealsf. Filed Nov. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 320,620 4 Cliairns. (Cl. 27343) This invention relates to automatic bowling pin setting machines and in particular is directed to an arrangement for modifying and adapting the respotting mechanisms of conventional pin setting machines for selectively setting any desired number and pattern of bowling pins.

There are numerous types of automatic bowling pin setting machines and their precise modes of operation and components vary between the types. However, the overall functioning and sequence of operations of the most common types of pin setting machines is somewhat similar in that each first sets the required number of pins in the proper pattern, individual respot mechanisms serve to lift each of the pins left standing after one roll of the ball, the fallen pins are swept away from the alley while the other pins are lifted by the respot mechanisms, and finally, the lifted pins are replaced on the alley fioor by the respot mechanisms for rolling of the next ball. After the second ball is rolled the entire alley is cleared and then the proper total and pattern of pins is again placed on the alley fioor. This sequence of operations is well known and in effect is somewhat dictated by the requirements of the game of bowling. For example, the rules require that for the rolling of the second ball, each of the pins left standing after the roll of the first ball must be positioned in the exact location occurring after the rolling of the first ball even though such location of one or more pins may be spaced from the original location of such pins. Thus it is not proper after the first ball to merely sweep the alley and spot the proper numher and pattern of new pins on the original locations corresponding to those left standing. In order to accomplish this necessary function of positioning each of the standing pins on the precise on or off spot location for rolling of the second ball, numerous mechanical devices, generally known as respotting mechanisms, have been developed for automatically adjusting to the location of the standing pin, gripping the pin for lifting, and then releasing the pin when same is returned to the alley floor. Some early attempts at designing respotting mechanism were unsuccessful in that they required cooperating parts, such as metal cores or magnets, to be mounted in the bowling pins and as a result the pins were unacceptable as not conforming to the regulations of the game of bowling.

It is often desirable for a bowling participant to be able to set any desired number and pattern of pins such as for the purpose of simulating the spare condition that might occur after the rolling of the first ball when that selected number and pattern of pins is left standing. In this manner the participant may practice knocking down any selected number and pattern of pins to thereby improve his game. However, the conventional automatic pin setting machines are only capable of setting the full complement of pins in the proper pattern and respotting standing pins after the first ball.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a novel arrangement for use on conventional automatic pin respotting mechanisms for causing the setting of any selected number and pattern of pins.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel electro-mechanical arrangement with certain types of respotting mechanisms whereby activating the electro-mechanical arrangement causes a modification of the normal operation of the respotting mechanism to thereby leave a pin standing that would normally be lifted by the mechanism. A still further object is to provide such an arrange ment with each of the respotting mechanisms whereby proper electrical activation will cause the respotting mechanisms associated with the selected number and pattern of pins to lift those pins from a full complement and the unwanted pins will be swept from the alley for the selected pins alone to be respotted.

Still another object of this invention is to provide modifying apparatus with certain conventional types of respotting mechanisms which do not affect the normal operation of the mechanism until activation of such modifying apparatus whereby the respotting mechanism is caused to malfunction to the desired extent and manner for failing to pick up a standing pin during that sequence of the normal operation.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of the electrical system of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the basic apparatus of one type of conventional pin respotting mechanism with a portion modified in accordance with and including apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view similar to and illustrating the same apparatus as FIGURE 2 with the respotting mechanism in the closed position for gripping and lifting a bowling pin.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the elements of the respotting mechanism illustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 3 with apparatus of this invention activated to prevent gripping of the bowling pin.

FIGURES 5, 6, 7 are similar to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, respectively, in all descriptive respects except that a different type of conventional pin respotting mechanism is illustrated.

Thus it may be seen that two of the more common conventional types of respotting mechanisms have been illustrated in the drawings with the appropriate modifications and apparatus of this invention. It is to be understood and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that this invention is not limited to use on just these two types of respotting mechanisms but rather by appropriate minor modifications and adaptations the principle of this invention can be employed with certain other types of respotting mechanism. The electrical system illustrated in FIGURE 1 is equally applicable to both of these types of respotting mechanisms or other types.

Referring first to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, respotting mechanism, generally designated 110, of a conventional type is shown in plan views from above. A'respotting mechanism is provided for each bowling pin and thus there will conventionally be ten respotting mechanisms 110 arranged in a triangular pattern. The respotting mechanisms 110 are mounted on a frame 111 which is supported in a conventional manner and moves up and down during the sequence of operations of the automatic pin setting machine. In normal operation after a full complement of pins have been set and the first ball as been rolled, the frame 111 is lowered with the respotting mechanisms 110 in the position shown in FIGURE 1 for allowing the standing pins to pass through the holes 112 in the frame 111 with the neck of the pin at the same level as the respotting mechanism 110. The respotting mechanisms are actuated to grip the standing pins and a sweep mechanism (not shown) removes any fallen pins remaning on the alley floor. The frame 111 is then lowered and the respot mechanisms 110 actuated to release the pins in the same standing position. The frame 111 is then raised for rolling the second ball. The actuation of the moving parts of this respotting mechanism 110 is not caused by the presence of a standing bowling pin 9 as is caused with certain types of respotting mechanisms wherein engagement with the top of the pin causes actuation of the mechanism but rather the mechanism 110 is physically actuated at the appropriate time and if a pin 9 is present it will be gripped for lifting. A pair of scissor arms 113 and 114 are pivotally mounted on the frame 111 at 115 for movement over the hole 112 and their open movement is limited by pins 116. Arms 113 and 114 are provided with pads 117 of resilient material for gripping the neck of the bowling pin 9 when the arms are closed onto the pin. The arms 113 and 114 are each provided with a cam groove 118 near their pivotally mounted ends. A link 119 has a follower 120 engaging the cam groove 118 of arm 114 and is pivotally connected at 121 to a link 122. A stub link 123 is pivotally connected at 124 to link 119 and has a follower 125 engaging the cam groove 118 of arm 113. Stub link 123 is biased by any convenient means such as torsion spring for tending to rotate in a clockwise direction relative to link 119 about the point 124 and rotation in this direction is limited to the position shown in FIG- URE 2 by an interengaging stop 126. Link 122 is pivotally mounted at 127 to the frame 111. Thus far this respotting mechanism 111} is of a conventional although relatively recent design and thus it is deemed unnecessary to describe the geometric relationship or other details of the mentioned elements. In the conventional mechanism 110 a link (not shown) would be pivotally connected to link 122 at 128 and pivotally connected at the other end to the conventional actuating bar 129. Such conventional link is usually manually adjustable in length but otherwise is merely a rigid link between actuating bar 129 and link 122. A number of such conventional links may be connected to a single actuating bar 129 for operating a like number of respotting mechanisms 110. For such conventional link the present invention substitutes links 130 and 132. Link 130 is adjustable in length and pivotally connected at 128 to link 122. Link 130 is also pivotally connected at 131 to link 132 which is in turn pivotally mounted at 133 on the actuating bar 129. Link 132 is provided with a leg portion 134 which is adapted to engage the plunger extension 142 of a solenoid 140. Solenoid 140 is mounted on actuating bar 129 and, is preferably a push type solenoid wherein the plunger extension 142 is normally in a retracted position. Any convenient means such as a tension spring 135 is provided for urging the leg portion 134 of link 132 into engagement with the plunger extension 142. The connection at 131 between links 130 and 132 is positioned on one side of a straight line drawn between pivotal points 128 and 133 connecting links 130 and 132 to link 122 and actuating bar 129, all respectively. Thus as shown in FIGURE 2 with the solenoid 140 not actuated there is effectively formed a rigid push link between pivot point 133 on actuating bar 129 and pivot point 128 on link 122 and therefore the heretofore described conventional lnik between bar 129 and link 122 has been successfully replaced.

In operation of the respotting mechanism 110 the actuating bar 129 is moved in a downward position, as viewed in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, when the frame 111 has been lowered to a position where the arms 113 and 114 are level with the neck of the pin 9. This movement of the actuating bar 129 causes counter-clockwise pivoting of link 122 about point 127. This, in turn, causes movement of link 119 in the general direction toward the pin 9 and this movement causes follower 120 to travel down the cam groove 118 of arm 114 thereby pivoting arm 114 inwardly toward the pin 9. Follower 125 also begins traveling up cam groove 118 of arm 113 causing pivoting of the arm toward the pin. Whichever scissors arm 113 or 114 first engages the pin 9, it will only apply a slight lateral force until the other arm engages the pin and the two arms can mutually oppose and exert the gripping forces. The travel of links 122 and 119 is of such an extent to cause the stub link 123 to pivot relative to link 119 in a counter-clockwise direction in oppostion to the biasing means therebetween. This provides an over center locking effect between the links whereby the arms 113 and 114 will firmly grip the pin 9 for lifting, as shown in FIGURE 3. When it is desired to leave a pin 9 standing on the alley floor rather than picking up the same with the respotting mechanism 110, the solenoid 140 is eiectrically activated to urge the plunger extension 142 outwardly as shown in FIGURE 4. This causes link 132 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction a sufiicient distance whereby the pivot at 131 between link 132 and link is moved beyond a straight line drawn between the pivots at 133 and 128. When the actuating bar 129 is moved downwardly to attempt to close the scissor arms 113 and 114 the force required for firmly closing the scissor arms will not be transmitted through links 132 and 130 but rather these links will merely break-over as shown by phantom lines in FIGURE 4. Thus the pin 9 will not be firmly gripped and cannot be lifted by the mechanism 110. The spring assures that the links 132 and 130 will return to their original positions when solenoid is deactivated. A solenoid 140 and the described linkage is obviously provided with each respotting mechanism 110 and an appropriate switching and electrical system, as hereinatfer described with respect to FIGURE 1, will be employed.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a schematic illustration of the electrical system of this invention is shown installed on and incorporated with an automatic spotting machine for ten pins of the conventional bowling pin pattern. For each bowling pin there are a number of elements provided which are repeated for each other bowling pin and therefore these elements will be given the same numbers in the FIGURE 1. The ten groups of elements associated with the ten pins are distinguished one from another by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and K and in designating a specific element these letters will be used as suffixes to the numeral indicating such element. Thus in the conventional installation there are provided ten respotting mechanisms 110A, 119B, 110C, 1101), 110E, 110E, 110G, 110H, 1101 and 1.10 K arranged in the proper pattern and mounted on the frame 111. As previously described a solenoid 140 is associated with each of the respotting mechanisms 1.10. One of the two electrical connections on each solenoid 140 is connected to a common line 50 which is in turn connected through a switch 51 to one side 52 of the line potential. Since many of the conventional automatic pin spotting mechanisms employ 24-volt DC current for various functions, it is preferred that the system of this invention merely be connected to this 24-volt source. A control panel 53 is appropriately positioned at a location convenient to the bowling participant, such as at the scoring table. Ten switches 54A-K are provided in control panel 53ucorresponding to the ten pins forming the normal pattern. One side of each of the switches 54 is connected individually through lines SSA-K to the remaining side of the solenoids 140. The other side of each switch 54 is connected through a common line 56 to a master switch 57. When switch 57 is closed line 56 is connected to the remaining side 58 of the 24-volt line potential. Thus with switches 51 and 57 closed the closing of any one or more of the switches 54A-K will result in activating the corresponding solenoid or solenoids 140A-K. As previously described, activating a solenoid 140 will cause the associated respotting mechanism 110 to leave standing on the alley floor a bowling pin that would otherwise be picked up during the down-up cycle of the mechanism. Switch 51 is operated by a cam type timing mechanism 59 which may be of any convenient form or even part of the timing mechanisms employed in the overall automatic pin setting machine. Timing mechanism 59 functions to close switch 51 for that strategic limited period of time during the lower portion of the down up stroke of the respotting mechanisms 110 whereby the solenoids 140 that are switched on will prevent the associated respotting mechanism 110 from picking up the bowling pin. This period of time need only extend throughout the period of actuating movement of actuating bar 129 so that the pin 9 is not gripped. In this manner current is not supplied through the switched-on solenoids 140 throughout the res-t of the cycle of the automatic pin spotter or while the balls are being rolled. For convenience it is preferred that switches 54 be normally closed such that when it is desired to set a certain selected number and pattern of pins the switches corresponding to those selected pins may be actuated thereby opening the switch. The master switch 57 may then be closed and the nonselected and unactuated switches 54 will be closed to activate the corresponding solenoids 140. Master switch 57 has double poles and one side is connected through a cycling switch 69 which is commonly known as a tenth frame switch and through a second tenth frame switch 61 which is associated with the ball return apparatus in the conventional manner. Closing of switches 57 and 60 will therefore cause cycling of the automatic pin setting machine to spot a full complement of pins and then a second cycling will cause the respotting mechanism .110 to engage this full complement of standing pins. At this point the entire mechanism will be functioning as though a first ball had been rolled and missed all of the pins. However, if one or more of the switches 54 have been left closed, such as for example switches 54C, 54F and 54K, then the corresponding solenoids 140C, 140F and 140K will be activated to thereby prevent the associated respotting mechanisms 110C, 110F and 110K from picking up those pins and thus pins 9C, 9F and 9K will be swept .away in the conventional manner as though those pins had fallen. The other pins 9A, 9B, 9D, 9E, 9G, 9H and 9] that had been picked up will then be respotted on the alley floor and the bowling participant may attempt to knock down just these seven pins. The electrical system of FIGURE 1 is merely intended to be illustrative and it will readily appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations could be used without departing from this invention.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 still another conventional type of respotting mechanism, generally designated 210-, is illustrated with the appropriate modifications of this invention. Respotting mechanism 210 is somewhat similar to heretofore described mechanism 110 in that a horizontally moving scissor arm arrangement is employed. The frame 211 is provided with holes 212 for allowing the bowling pins 9 to protrude therethrongh. Scissor arms 213 and 214 are pivotally mounted at 215 to the frame 211 and stops 216 limit the extent of opening movement of the arms. The arms are provided with pads 217 of any convenient resilient material. A crank link 2-18 is pivotally mounted on the frame 211 at 219. A link 220 is pivotally connected at 221 to one end of the crank link 218. A link 222 is pivotally connected to link 220 at 223 and is pivotally connected to arm 213 at 224. A link 225 similar to link 222 is also pivotally connected to link 220 at 223 and is pivotally connected at 226 .to an extension portion 227 of arm 214. As may be seen from the drawings, the points 224 and 226 are spaced from each other with the point 221 therebetween whereby movement of point 221 in the direction toward or away from point 223 will cause points 224 and 226 to approach or separate from each other respectively. As thus far described the elements of respotting mechanism 210 are conventional and are more fully described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,817,528 entitled, Bowling Pin Handling Mechanism. In the conventional arrangement the other end of crank link 218 is pivotally connected at 228 to the actuating bar 229. In accordance with the modification of this invention the crank link 218 is pivotally connected at 228 to a link 230 rather than being connected to actuating bar 229. Link 230 is pivotally connected at 23 1 to the actuating bar 229 or an extension thereof. An extension leg 232 of link 230 is provided with a slot 233 for receiving the plunger extension 242 of a solenoid 240. Solenoid 240 is mounted on actuating bar 229 and in contrast to previously described solenoid it is preferred that solenoids 240' be of the pull type wherein the plunger extension 242 is retracted by electrically activating the solenoid. FIG- URES 5 and 6 illustrate the solenoid 240 in an extended or unactivated condition. With plunger extension 242 engaging slot 233 the link 230' is locked in the position shown and thus link 218 is effectively pivotally connected at 228 directly to the actuating bar 229 as is present in the conventional arrangement. When the frame 211 is lowered to the proper position with scissor arms 213 and 214 at the level of the neck of bowling pin 9 the actuating rod 229 is moved upwardly and toward the left in an arcuate path, as viewed in these figures, to the position shown in FIGURE 6. This causes clockwise pivoting of cr-ank link 218 thereby pulling through link 220 on the pivot point 223 and forcing links 222 and 225 outwardly. This outward movement of the links and pivot points 224 and 226 causes the scissor arms 213 and 214 to close for engaging the pin 9. The first arm 213 or 214 to engage pin 9 will be resisted by the pin and link 220 will pivot in the appropriate direction relative to crank link 218 for bringing the other arm into engagement with the pin. It may be seen that an extreme gripping force is applied on arms 213 and 214 when gripping the pin by reason of the links 222 and 225 reaching positions perpendicular to link 2 20 when the arms are closed, as shown in FIGURE 6.

When it is desired to leave a bowling pin 9 on the alley floor with mechanism 210 rather than gripping and lifting by arms 213 and 214, the solenoid 240 is activated to withdraw the plunger extension 242 from the slot 233-. This activation of solenoid 240 is timed to occur and continued during the movement of actuation bar 229 which would normally cause closing of scissor arms 213 and 214. With link 2.30 released from solenoid 240; the link is permitted to pivot about point 231 and pivots relative to crank link 218 about point 228 whereby crank link 218 is not pivoted through its normal angular displacement even though actuating bar 229 still proceeds through its normal motion, all as shown in FIGURE 7. The arms 213 and 214 will not be completely closed or even if closed onto the pin 9 the arms would not be held with suflicient rigidity to lift the pin. Biasing means, such as tension spring 23 5, are provided for returning the link 230 to its original position shown in FIGURE 5 when actuating bar 229 also returns to its original position. Solenoid 240 is deactivated for plunger extension 242 to again protrude its full extent before or when actuating bar 229 returns to its original position whereby plunger extension 242 again engages slot 233 to lock link 236) in the original position described. For a complete pin setting machine the solenoids 240' of this embodiment may be incorporated in an electrical system such as that described with respect to FIGURE 1 wherein solenoids 240 are substituted for solenoids 140 and respotting mechanisms 210 are substituted for mechanisms 110.

Thus it may be seen that by this invention the operation of any one or more selected respotting mechanisms of a conventional automatic pin setting apparatus is modified to prevent that respotting mechanism from gripping and lifting an associated standing bowling pin thereby leaving that pin on the alley floor to be removed as though the pin had fallen. Employing this invention for modifying the operation of one or more of the respotting mechanisms of an automatic pin spotting apparatus does not affect the normal functioning of the other respotting mechanisms nor the remainder of the automatic pin setting apparatus.

It will readily appear to those skilled in the art that the essence of this invention may be readily adapted to various other types and styles of respotting mechanism even though only two specific embodiments have been illustrated and described. Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to the details herein set forth or to the details illustrated in the drawings, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: i

1. In a respotting mechanism for selectively lifting or leaving standing a bowling pin, the combination of: a pair of arms pivotally mounted 'for movement in a horizontal plane for gripping the neck of a standing bowling pin upon closing of said arms, link means for actuating said arms for closing on a pin without regard for location including a pivotally mounted actuating link, actuating bar means operable for horizontal movement, a first link connected to said actuating link, a second link pivotally connected to both said first link and said actuating bar means, electro-mechanical means for locking said second link in a selected position for the horizontal movement of said actuating bar means to cause pivoting of said actuating link for closing the said arms, and means for operating said ele ctro-meehanical means to unlock said second link for pivoting of said second link during said horizontal movement -for causing less pivoting of said actuating link to leave said arms in a non-gripping .position.

2. In a respotting mechanism for selectively lifting or leaving standing a bowling pin, the combination of: a pair of arms pivotally mounted for movement in a horizontal plane for gripping the neck of a standing bowling pin upon closing of said arms, link means for actuating said arms for closing on a pin without regard for location including a pivotally mounted actuating link, actuating bar means operable for horizontal movement, a first link connected to said actuating link, a second link pivotally connected to both said first link and said actuating bar means, electro-mechanica-l means for locking said second link in a selected position for the horizontal movement of said actuating bar means to cause pivoting of said actuating link for closing the said arms, means for operating said electro-mechanical means to unlock said second link for pivoting of said second link during said horizontal movement for causing less pivoting of said actuating link to leave said arms in a non-gripping position, and biasing means for returning said second link to said selected position for locking by said electro-mechanical means after the horizontal movement of said actuating bar means is completed.

3. In a respotting mechanism for selectively lifting or leaving standing a bowling pin, the combination of: a pair of arms pivotally mounted for movement in .a horizontal plane for gripping the neck of a standing bowling pin upon closing of said arms, link means for actuating said arms for closing on a pin without regard for the location of the pin, actuating bar means operable for horizontal movement, actuating link means normally interconnecting said actuating bar means and said link means for causing closing of said arms upon said horizontal movement of said actuating bar means, and electro-mechanical means operatively connected to said actuating link means and selectively operable for disabling said actuating link means for causing said arms to stay at least partially open upon said horizontally movement of the actuating bar means whereby the bowling pin is left standing.

4. The respotting mechanism of claim 3 wherein timing means are provided for causing the said operation of said electro-mechanical means only during the normal gripping and lifting portion of the cycle of operation of the respotting mechanism.

References tCited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,524,241 l/ 1925 Hedenskoog 27343 2,817,528 12/1957 Sanford 273-42 3,138,378 6/ 1964 Krollman 27343 3,138,379 6/1964 Ernst 27343 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

A. O. OECHSLE, Assistant Examiner. 

3. IN A RESPOTTING MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVELY LIFTING OR LEAVING STANDING A BOWLING PIN, THE COMBINATION OF: A PAIR OF ARMS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE FOR GRIPPING THE NECK OF A STANDING BOWLING PIN UPON CLOSING OF SAID ARMS, LINK MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID ARMS FOR CLOSING ON A PIN WITHOUT REGARD FOR THE LOCATION OF THE PIN, ACTUATING BAR MEANS OPERABLE FOR HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT, ACTUATING LINK MEANS NORMALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID ACTUATING BAR MEANS AND SAID LINK MEANS FOR CAUSING CLOSING OF SAID ARMS UPON SAID HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING BAR MEANS, AND ELECTRO-MECHANICAL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATING LINK MEANS AND SELECTIVELY OPERABLE FOR DISABLING SAID AC- 